Machine for inserting fastenings.



' G. A. AMBLER. MACHINE FOR INSERTING FASTENINGS.

APPLIOATIQN FILED OUT- 26, 1906.

1,005,920, v 'Patented 0@t.17,1911,

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W/TNES'SESL //\/VENTUFL B1412. H H we. mi. 7. zfiwwiljl 12;; j /M COLUMBIA PLAND'GRAPH 60.,WASHINOTON, D. c.

G. A. AMBLBRi MACHINE FOR INSERTING FASTENINGS. APPLIOATICI'IT FILED OCT- 26, 1906.

1,005,920, Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

6 SHEETSSHEET 2' WITNESSES. /NVEN TDR "BN1; H.

COLUMBIA PLAYiDflHAPl-l CO- WASHINOTON, D. C.

G. A. AMBLER. MACHINE FOR INSERTING FASTBNINGS.

APPLICATION FILED OUT 26, 1906.

Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

B SHEETS-SHEET 3- COLUMBlA PLANdGRAPH C0..wASHlNu1nN. D. c.

G. A. AMBLER.

MACHINE FOR INSEBTING FASTENINGS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT 26, 1906.

Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

G. A. AMBLER.

MACHINE FOR INSERTING FASTENINGS.

APPLICATION FILED 001'. 26, 1906.

1,005,920. Patented Oct. 17,1911.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

G. A. AMBLER. MACHINE ron INSERTING PASTENINGS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT 26, 1906. 1,Q()5,92() Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

6 SHEETSSHEET 6.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. AMBLER, OF WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITE-D SI-IOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR INSERTING- FASTENINGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1'7, 1911.

Application filed. October 26, 1906. Serial No. 340,707.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. AMBLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Winchester, in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have in vented certain Improvements in Machines for Inserting Fastenings, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to machines for inserting fastenings for securing together layers of material, or for inserting slugs or other devices which are intended for purposes of ornamentation or resisting wear, the word fastenings being hereinafter used, for brevity and convenience, to designate and include any and all materials and devices which may be used for the purposes named. Machines of this class are used very generally in working upon boots and shoes and in many of them it is a common practice to provide mechanism for feeding the stock into which the fastenings are in serted by a lateral movement of an awl which is used to form a hole into which a fastening is later driven.

In the machine of the present invention although the driver and awl are actuated through separate mechanisms they are so timed in their movements that as one fastening is being driven the awl is forming a hole for the reception of the next fastening, whereby the driver and awl operate to carry out their usual functions in a shorter space of time and the machine may be run at a higher rate of speed than in the case where these parts operate alternately. In such a case the movement of the awl must be stopped prior to the last action of the driver in inserting a fastening before the horn is released to remove the stock so that when the work is taken from the machine its apiearance will not be marred by the presence of an unfilled awl hole.

One object of the invention, therefore, is to provide, in a machine of this type, means for insuring the filling with fastenings of eachand every hole made by the awl no matter at what period in the cycle of operations the operator determines to discontinue the presentation of fastenings for insertion. Obviously the particular kind of fastening to be inserted is immaterial, but in the illustrated embodiment of the invention continuous wire is shown as being fed into the machine. Novel means is also provided for imparting lateralmovement to the awl, said means being adjustable so as to gain difierent spacing of the fastenings. I/Vhen inserting fastenings from continuous wire the means for severing the wire into lengths for insertion is preferably controlled by the means for imparting lateral movement to the awl and the feeding means is preferably controlled by the means for imparting reciprocatory movement to the awl.

A novel form of guide for insuring that fastening material of any size or character is properly presented to the fastening feeding means is provided for such material.

In the form of the invention shown the driver is reciprocated positively from a cam and the awl is similarly reciprocated from another cam, the two cams being so designed and mounted that as the awl descends to form a hole in the stock the driver descends to insert a previously presented fastening in the hole made by the awl during the previous cycle of operations, the stock having meanwhile been fed forward the proper distance. The mechanism for reciprocating the awl is normally inoperative, although the main shaft is moving continuously, and becomes operative through connect-ion with a continuously moving part actuated from the awl operating cam mounted on said main shaft. This connection is under control of the operator. The mechanism under control of the operator for connecting and disconnecting the awl and its actuator operates through a controlling or governing mechanism including'a rotatable member, preferably a cam, which automatically breaks the connection at the proper time to insure filling with fastenings each and every hole made by the awl, no matter what the position of the awl and wire-feeding actuating cam when the operator releases the mechanism under his control. This necessitates in a machine wherein the awl and driver descend simultaneously, a governing mechanism which will, at time, rotate the awl and wire-feeding controlling cam for more than a full revolution after the operator has released the means under his control, as will hereafter more fully appear.

In the wire-feeding mechanism here shown there is a continuously moving member,

driven preferably from the cam which operates the driver, carrying a wire gripper and a normally inoperative wire presser lo cated on the opposite side of the wire. The stroke of this member is adjustable for feeding fastenings of varying lengths. A movable feed controller governed as to its movement by the awl-operating cam is constructed and arranged to engage the presser on the downward movement of the continuously moving member and thus enable the gripper to seize and feed the wire. A suitable pawl is provided for preventing backward movement of the wire, and in connection therewith is means for rendering it inoperative when desired.

In the nose or foot-plate of the machine is a laterally movable member having a vertical opening through which the awl passes, the awl bar being pivotally hung from a point above it, and this member is reciprocated through varying distances by means of an adjustable mechanism actuated from a cam on the continuously moving main shaft. Preferably this mechanism also governs the movement of the wire-severing means.

The machine is arranged so that it may be fitted with two or more awls, drivers and fastening-feeding mechanisms and thus converted into a duplex or multiplex fastening inserting machine. WVhen so constructed means is provided whereby the feed from one or more of the sources of fastening supply may be discontinued temporarily. For the purpose of illustration, the fasteningfeeding mechanism alone is shown as dupli cated, the single-awl and driver being retained for the purpose of clearness. For the purpose of conversion from a duplex to a single row machine as herein shown, a device operating upon one of the wire-feeding gripping pawls, and preferably under control of the operator, is adapted to move and maintain said pawl out of gripping position until the release by the operation of the controlling device.

The novel mechanism for raising and depressing the horn at the proper times in the cycle of operation of the machine herein illustrated and described to better set forth the operation of the invention of this application has not been claimed in the present application but has been made the subjectmatter of a divisional application, Serial No. 407,326, filed Dec. 20, 1907.

The preferred embodiment of the invention, in a machine for forming and inserting fastenings from wire, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,-

Figure 1 is an elevation of the left-hand side of the machine; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine; Fig. 3 is an elevation of a portion of Fig. 2 with the cover-plates removed and partly in section, showing more particularly a wire-feeding mechanism; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of the wire-feeding mechanism shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a detached portion of the machine showing the mechanism for controlling the vertical and lateral movements of the awl and the movement of the wiresevering mechanism; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the machine which is partially hidden in Fig. 5, viewed from the opposite direction to Fig. 5, and showing in detail the mechanism for actuating the awl, wire-feeding and wire-severing mechanisms; Fig. 7 is a detail view, partly in section, of a portion of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a face view of the cam governing the automatic stoppage of the mechanism for controlling the movement of the awl, wire-feeding mechanisms; Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are detail views, partly in section, showing the relation of the controlling plunger and cam of Fig. 8at different points of the cam surface; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the lower part of the machine, showing the horn-actuating mechanism, the parts being shown in inoperative position; Fig. 13 is a detail view upon a larger scale of a portion of the horn-actuating mechanism, the parts being shown in operative position. Referring to the drawings, 12 is a portion of the supporting frame of the machine which has mounted upon it a head or frame 14, carrying in suitable bearings a driving shaft 16 on which are mounted fast and loose pulleys 18 and 20 and a hand-wheel 22 by which the shaft may be turned over slowly by the operator when desired. At a convenient point on the shaft 16, preferably on its forward end, is a cam disk 24 in which is formed a cam groove 26. The driving shaft 16 is constantly rotated while the machine is in operation and with it the cam disk 24 and all other cam disks mounted on the shaft. In the cam groove 26 there rides a roll 28 attached to a driver bar 30, carrying a driver 32, which in the revolution of the cam is reciprocated vertically and held from lateral movement by any suitable form of guide, and at its end by a pair of wings 34 embracing a stud 36 which may be mounted on the end of the driving shaft. An awl bar 38 carries at its lower end an awl 40 preferably arranged to have vertical movement in an opening 42, from which it is never withdrawn, formed in a movable plate or block 44, the function of which will be hereinafter described. The awl bar 38 is pivotally connected to an arm, 46 secured to a rockshaft48, having bearings in the head or frame 14. The shaft 48 has also secured to it a lever 50, and close to this lever another lever 52 is loosely mounted on the shaft. The loose lever 52 is moved constantly while the driving shaft is in operation through its connection, by means of a roll 54, with a cam groove 56 in one side of a cam disk 58 on the driving shaft. This constantly moving lever 52, when coupled to the lever 50, constitutes the actuator for the awl bar. The lever 50 carries a clutchpin 60 and the constantly operating lever 52 has in it a clutchl1ole 62. A spring 64 is mounted so as to force the clutch-pin toward the lever 52, and, when permitted, into the clutch-hole 62. When the clutch-pin 60 is in engagement with the actuator lever 52, a positive connection is established between the driving shaft and the awl, whereby the awl is given a positive movement in both directions and continues to be operated by the driving shaft so long as the engagement between levers 50 and 52 continues. A lever 66 having upon it a finger 68 and mountedloosely upon a stud 70 sustained by the head or frame 14, is connected by a rod 72 to the starting treadle through any convenient mechanism, for instance the pivoted lever 74 and rod 75. This lever acts as a controller for the clutch mechanism 60, 62. An eccentric 77 mounted on the frame 14: and under control of the operator may be turned in position to lock the treadle from movement and thus prevent an accidental starting of the mechanism controlled by the movement of lever 66. The finger 68- of the controller lever 66 rests normally in a recess 7 6 formed between. a portion of the lever 50 and an enlarged wedge-shaped end 78 of the clutch-pin 60. The contacting parts are so proportioned that when in this position they operate to withdraw the clutch-pin and maintain it out of engagement with the clutch-hole 62 in the actuator lever 52. A pin 80 prevents the clutch-pin from being withdrawn entirely from the lever 50. "When the treadle is actuated by the operator, the outer end of the controller lever 66 is raised, removing the finger 68 from the recess 7 6 and thereby allowing spring 641 to act upon the clutch-pin and force it into clutch-hole 62 when the actuator lever 52 shall have reached, in its movement, a position with relation to the lever 50 in which this may occur. Conversely when the treadle is released by the operator the controller lever 66 is brought to such a position that, during one of the succeeding outward movements of the combined levers 50 and 52 from their innermost position, the wedgeshaped portion 68 passes into the recess 7 6 and by its engagement with the wedgeshaped side 78 of said recess the clutch-pin 60 is withdrawn from its clutch-hole 62, and connection between lever 50 and 52 is thus broken, wit-h lever 50 at the outer end of its stroke, and the awl 4L0 consequently at the upper end of its vertical reciprocatorymovement. The precise time after the release of the treadle at which the finger 68 of lever 66 will be placed in position to enter recess 76, and disconnect the two levers on the next outward movement of the actuator lever 52, is governed by an automatic con trolling mechanism to be described later.

On the stud 70 is mounted a stop 82, the function of which is to prevent undue outward movement of lever 50, and for a sim ilar purpose a spring stop 84, which may be mounted on the stop 82, is provided for preventing any undesired inward movement of lever 50 in case clutch-pin 60 has not been entirely withdrawn from its clutch-hole in the actuator lever 52. Also, the lever 50 may be provided with a stop 86 by means of which the two levers are maintained in such relation that clutch-hole 62 exactly registers with clutch-pin 60 when the actuator lever 52 is at the outer end of its stroke.

lVhen fastenings are to be formed and inserted from continuous wire the rocksha ft 48 is provided with an adjustable connection 88 between it and a second rockshaft 90. Preferably the connection 88 extends bet-ween a lug :7, on the aim 4L6 from which the awl bar depends, and an arm 89 fixed on the rockshaft 90. 'The rockshaft 90 has loosely mounted thereon an arm 92, and therefore serves as a pivot for said arm, which is connected through a link 94 to a lever 96 pivoted at 97 on the frame 14 and given an oscillatory motion by means of a roll-connection 98 with the cam groove 26 in cam disk 2-1. It is seen that with such a connection the arm 92 is moved positively in two directions through a determined dis tance. For varying this distance, the link 9%. is adjustably connected to lever 96 through a pin and slot connection 100 and by the adjustment of this connection the movement of arm 92 may be lengthened or shortened. The arm 92 carries a wire gripper in the form of a pawl 102 pivoted on the arm at 104 and provided with a serrated edge eccentric with its pivot as is usual. A spring 106 controls the movement of the gripper in one direction, and a stop 108 limits its action under the force of the spring. The wire is led from a suitable source of supply through a guide 110, to be hereinafter described, and past the serrated edge of the wire gripper 102 into a guide or groove 112 in the machine, and thence to the wire-severing mechanism. The arm 92 also carries, on the side of the wire opposite to the gripper 102, movable presser 114': having preferably a rounded surface which is normally inoperative to aid in gripping the wire. A preferred form of mechanism for rendering this presser 114 operative comprises a U-shaped arm 116, which may be termed a wire-feeding controller, having its legs securely mounted on the rockshaft 90 one on each side of the Wirefeedin g arm 92..

The adjustable connection 88 is set when the machine is first set up so that the throw of cam 56 will impart to the wire-feeding controller 116 a movement sufficient to feed the longest fastening desired. The adjustment of connection 88 is not thereafter altered. The U portion of this arm 116 is provided at its inner side with a springpressed plug 118, having a surface consisting of a beveled portion 120 and a face 122 which is eccentric with the pivotal center of the arm 92. As the feed-controller moves upwardly, the eccentric surface of plunger 118 engages presser 11-1, forcing it toward the wire thus forming an unyielding surface against which the wire may be gripped by the gripper 102 as arm 92 moves downwardly, the feed-controller at this time also moving downwardly with the arm and maintaining its pressure on the wire. The feed-controller is also provided with a screw 12st having an eccentric head 126 adapted to bear against a portion of plug 118 for varying the position of the plug to accommodate the feed of wire of varying sizes.

The cam grooves 26 and 56, controlling respectively the movements of arm 92 and wire-feed controller 116, are so designed and mounted on the main shaft that the arm 92 returns to its starting position while the feed-controller is held stationary at the lower end of its stroke, whereby the presser 114 is again released and the gripper 102 thereby rendered inoperative to feed wire. On its way through guiding groove 112, the wire passes a spring-pressed pawl 128, arranged to prevent backward movement of the wire during the time arm 82 is returning to its initial position preparatory to making another feeding stroke. This pawl 128 may be rendered inoperative when desired through an eccentric 130 on one end of a hand-lever 131. After passing pawl 128, the wire is forced, by the movementof feeding arm 92, into a hole 132 in a sliding block 134:. The hole 132 registers with the ho e 112 when the block 134 is at one of the limits of its sliding movement. A reciprocation of this block 134 acts to shear off the length of wire which has been fed into hole 132 and bring the severed portion in line with driver 32. The block 134 is preferably reciprocated through the movement of a' lever 136 pivoted to frame 14 at 138 and having one end connected to the block and its other end connected to a guide bar 140 adapted to move in a guideway 142 formed in the machine frame. Motion may be imparted to guide bar 1 10 through the movement of a lever 144.- pivoted to the frame at 1&6 and having one end connected to the guide bar and its other end having an adjustable roller connection 148 with a cam groove 150 preferably on one side of cam disk 58. Preferably cam groove 150 also controls the lateral movement of awl 40. To this end a lever 152, pivoted to the frame at 15 1, is connected at one end to the sliding block 44: through a hole in which the awl reciprocates, as before mentioned, and at its other end is adjustably connected to an extension 156 on guide bar 1&0. Adjustment between lever 152 and guide bar 140 is obtained by means of slots 158 and 160, formed respectively in lever 152 and extension 156, and a movable connecting pivot member 162. By adjusting the pivotmember 162 in different positions lengthwise of the slots a constant movementof guide bar 146 will, because of the change in leverage, impart varying movements to sliding block 4-1 carrying the awl, and by this means a varying spacing of the fastenings to be inserted is obtained. The levers 156 and 152 are held from vertical movement by their ends 157 and 163 working in horizontally arranged guides 164C and 166 respectively.

The means for controlling the movement of lever 66 so that it will automatically dis connect the lever 50 from the actuator lever 52 at the proper time to insure filling with fastenings each and every hole made by the awl, no matter what the position of the awl and wire-feeding actuating cam, when the operator releases the treadle, will now be described in connection with the operation of the machine.

The lever 66 is provided with a bearing in the form of a sleeve or socket 168 which carries a spring-pressed plunger 170 provided with a projection or trigger 172 preferably at its lower side. This plunger is adapted to engage with a face-cam 17st formed on a cam disk 176 mounted on the main shaft 16. Cam 17 1 is provided with two levels or surfaces 178 and 180, and between these two levels is a spirally arranged runway 182 extending partially around the circumference of the cam for merging one of the levels into the other. The form of this cam and runway is shown best by the perspective view in the upper portion of Fig. 5. A block 184: is mounted 011 the frame in such position that the trigger 172 may at times rest upon it to sustain the plunger 170 at one level and at other times rest behind it when the plunger 170 has been brought by engagement with the runway 182 to a lower level. The normal position of the trigger is behind the block with lever 66 down as shown by Fig. 6. When the operator presses the treadle to start the insertion of fastenings, rod 72 is raised and with it lever 66 and on the next outward movement of actuator lever 52 clutch-pin 6O enters clutch-hole 62 to connect the two levers 50 and 52. The movement of lever 66 raises trigger 172 from its normal position behind block 18 1 and the plunger 17 O is forced outwardly by its spring and engages the surface 17 8 of cam 174. (See Fig. As long as the operator keeps the starting treadle depressed, controller lever 66 will be maintained out of engagement with-lever 50 and therefore levers 50 and 52 will move in unison, operating the awl and wire-feeding mechanisms and because of the elevated position of lever 66 the plunger 170 will ride continuously upon the surface 178 of cam 174. When the operator determines to discontinue the presentation of fastenings for insertion and releases the starting treadle, rod. 72 is actuated downwardly and carries with it lever 66 until the end of plunger 170 meets a shoulder 186 at the base of surface 178, or until trigger 172 meets and rests upon its sustaining block 184, (see Fig. 10) according to the angular position of cam 174 with relation to the plunger 170 at the time of release. The plunger 17 0 will engage shoulder 186 if any point of the angular extent cl, 6, f (Fig. 8') of the cam 174 is at that time beneath the plunger, and the plunger will be allowed to drop sufficiently so that trigger 172 may rest upon its sustaining block 184 if any point in the angular extentof the cam between 7 and (Z (Fig. 8) is beneath the plunger at the time the treadle is released by the operator. If the position of the parts is such that the plunger meets the shoulder 186, the finger 68 on controller lever 66 is still maintained at a sufficient height so as not to engage the end 78 of clutch-pin 60 and effect a disconnection of lever 50 from its actuating lever 52. On the continued rotation of cam 174, however, plunger 170 is dropped somewhat, by means of a sloping portion 188 of the shoulder 186, so that it is placed in position to thereafter engage the runway 182. The sloping portion 188 drops plunger 170 a sufiicient distance so that trigger 172 may rest upon the upper surface of its sustaining block 184. At the time that the plunger 170 enters runway 182, levers 50 and 52 are at the inner end of their stroke. The finger 68 of lever 66 has now been dropped a sufiicient distance to enter the recess 76 and as the levers 50 and 52 again move outwardly, clutch-pin 60 is by this movement gradually withdrawn from clutch-hole 62. As the awl reaches the top of its stroke the two levers are entirely disconnected and head 78 of pin 60 is at the same time placed between the stop 82 and 84, spring 84 having previously yielded to allow the outwardly moving head 78 to pass. At the same time, plunger 170 is be ing forced into its socket 168 by its engagement with runway 182 and just before the actuator lever 52 starts its inward movement, trigger 172 is forced to a position where it may again drop behind its sustaining block 184. At this same point of time the plunger reaches the end 183 of the runway 182, passing on to surface 180 and is allowed to drop until trigger 172 is positioned behind the block 184, (see Fig. 11) thus maintaining the plunger in its retracted position. This last movement of the controller lever 66 also releases the mechanism, hereinafter described, which maintains the horn, or other work-support, H in raised position so that fastenings may be driven, releasing it and allowing it to descend a sufficient distance to enable the operator to remove the work therefrom. It is thus seen that if when the treadle is released, the plunger 17 0 meets the cam 174 at any point of the surface (Z, a, Z) the cam will rotate through from one to one and one-quarter revolutions, approximately, before the lever 50 is disconnected from the actuating lever 52 and the awl and wire-feeding means held from movement. Similarly if, on the release of the treadle, the plunger 17 O meets the cam 174 at any point of the surface 7, (Z the controller lever 66 will at once drop until the trigger 172 meets the block 184 and the cam will rotate through but one-quarter to one half a revolution, approximately, before a disconnection of levers 50 and 52 occurs. The reason for this will be better understood after a description of the operation of the various mechanisms shown in the illustrated embodiment of the invention with relation to the angular movement of cam 174.

It will be assumed that when the treadle is depressed by the operator, thereby raising lever 66 and rendering clutch-pin 60 operative, the plunger 17 0 in its movement meets the surface 178 of cam 174 substantially at the point a, Fig. 8. At this time, with cam 174 in this position, the angular position of cam groove 26 is such that the driver is just on the point of commencing its downward stroke and the wire-feeding arm 92, carrying the gripping pawl 102 has just completed its up stroke and is stationary. The angular position of cam groove 56 is such that the awl is ust on the point of commencing its downward stroke and the feed-controlling arm 116 is stationary at the bottom of its stroke'and just on the point of ascending. end of its stroke, clutch-hole 62 is therefore in line with the clutch-pin 60, and these two levers are at once locked together and thereafter move in unison. The angular position of cam groove 150 is such that the W1I'8-SGV- c ering or shear block 134 has just completed its inner movement and brought a severed fastening, resting in hole 132, beneath the driver, and the sliding block 44 for actuating the awl laterally to feed the stock is at the outer end of its stroke. As plunger 170 passes the point on cam 174 marked 7), Fig. 8, the driver has just driven the fastening held in hole 132 of the shear block 134, the wire-feeding arm 92 remains stationary at The actuator lever 52 is at the outer the top of its stroke, the awl has pierced another hole in the stock, the shear block 134 and the sliding block 44 are both held stationary at the inner and outer ends of their strokes, respectively, and the feed-controller 116 has almost completed its upward movement. Upon the plunger 170 reaching the point 0, as marked on Fig. 8, the driver has again reached the upper end of its stroke, arm 92 is still stationary at the top of its stroke, the awl, which has remained stationary since piercing its hole, is about to move forward with sliding block 44 in order to feed the stock, the shear block 134 is about to return to its outer position, and the feedcontroller arm 116 remains at the upper end of its stroke. hen plunger 170 reaches the position marked (Z on Fig. 8, the stock-feedin movement of block 44 has been completed so that the hole just formed by the awl is brought beneath the driver, the awl itself is just about to begin its ascent, the shear block 134 has just reached the outer end of its stroke, the wire-feeding arm 92 and feed-controller arm 116 are both just commencing their downward stroke and the driver is held stationary at the top of its stroke. When the position marked 6 on Fig. 8 is reached by the plunger 170, the awl has reached the top of its stroke, the driver is still held stationary at the top of its stroke, the wire-feeding arm 92 and feed-controlling arm 116 have just completed their downward strokes, the shear block has just started on its inner stroke, and the sliding block 44 is just about to commence its outward move ment, carrying the awl with it. It should of course be understood that the time at which the parts move relatively to each other varies with the adjustment for length of nail and for feeding the stock.

Referring again to the action of plunger 170 and the controller lever 66, it is seen that the levers 50 and 52 are disconnected when the plunger riding on the runway 182, reaches approximately the point e on the surface of cam 174, that is, at the time the actuator lever 52 is held stationary at the outer end of its stroke, and therefore with awl 40 up and feed-controlling arm 116 down, just before again beginning its inward movement to again actuate said awl downwardly and said arm upwardly. If the machine were constructed so that there were no shoulder 186 on cam 174 and so that after the release of the treadle the operations of the awl and wire-feeding mechanisms would be discontinued and the horn-released whenever a point on the cam disk 176 corresponding in angular position to a point Z; on the cam 174 is passed by the plunger 170, the following conditions would obtain. On releasing the treadle as the plunger passes a point I) as above indicated, referring to the cycle of operations above described, the awl and driver ered and placed beneath the driver and the driver would descend to insert it in the hole previously made by the awl and the horn would then be released, all during one revolution. If the treadle should be released at.

any point on the angular surface Z), c, f, (Z of the cam disk 176, the horn would be released in from one to one-half a revolution according to how near the point (Z the treadle were released, the various mechanisms which come into operation performing their functions as just described. If, however, the treadle were released at any point on the angular surface (Z, 6, a, b on cam disk 176. that is at any time after the awl had started to ascend and therefore after levers 50 and 52 have started their outward movement, finger 68 of controller lever 66 would be brought in contact with the upper surface 79 of the wedge member 78 instead of being brought into a position where it could enter recess 76 as the levers move outwardly. The awl would therefore not only continue to ascend but would again descend, forming another hole just at the time that the horn is released which can not be filled with a fastening, and

it would not be until after the removal of the work and on the next revolution at approximately the point of e that levers 50 and 52 would be disconnected. It is therefore seen that some means must be provided for prevent-ing the release of the horn until after the awl and wire-feeding mechanism have been thrown out of operation so that another hole will not be made by the awl just as the horn is released and work is ready to be taken from the machine. Such means is provided by the peculiar form of the governing cam 174. By the formation of shoulder 186, clutch-pin 170 is prevented from being dropped so as to engage surface 180 each time that it passes the point 6 and particularly if the operator has released the treadle when the plunger is on any part of the angular surface (Z, 6, a, b of the cam. As heretofore explained, this shoulder prevents controller lever 66 from dropping to position shown in Fig. 10 so that the plunger may engage the runway 182. The spirally-shaped cam 174 thus insures the filling with a fastening of the last hole made by the awl at whatever point in the cycle of operations the treadle is released by the operator, it being immaterial whether the awl is ascending or descending. If the treadle is released after the awl has reached the bottom of its movement and before it again starts to ascend, it will be thrown out of operation when it again reaches the top of its stroke and the horn released in either one or less than one revolution, but if the treadle is released while the awl is either ascending or descending, the hole made at the time the driver last descended is filled and another hole will be made and filled before the awl is thrown out of operation and the horn released, all of which will occur in from slightly over one to one and one-half revolutions, approximately, according to the position of plunger 170 with relation to the cam 174 when the treadle is released. The mechanism which raises and depresses the horn and the mechanism which looks the horn in raised position until the last hole made by the awl has been filled with a fastening are shown especially in Figs. 12 and 13. In the construction here shown, the horn is positively raised to place the stock in proper position to receive the fastening and is positively depressed to permit the stock to be fed. The mechanism for raising and depressing the horn consists of a rocking frame 212, mounted upon a sleeve 214 upon a pivot pin 216 in a fork of the standard 12. The rocking frame 212 is of forked construction and between the two similar side members is mounted to oscillate freely on the sleeve 214 an angle lever 218 pivotally connected at one end to the rod 220 which supports the horn H. At its other end the angle lever 218 has a bearing surface 222 concentric with the center of pivot pin 216 upon which surface bear hardened rollers 224, 226. These rollers have reduced projecting ends to which ends are attached springs 228 and 236 respectively, there being a spring at each end of each roller. The springs tend to keep the rollers normally apart. Springs 228 are attached at their outer ends to adjusting members 232 screw-threaded at their ends and capable of adjustment through the standard. 12 by means of nuts 234. Springs 230 are connected to pins 236 on the rocking frame 212. The reduced ends of rollers 224, 226 travel in slots 288 in the rocking frame 212, these slots being also substantially concentric with the center of pivot pin 216. Plates 240 at tached to the sides of rocking frame 212 and projecting into slots 238 and over the.

ends of the rollers keep the rollers from endwise movement. Cam blocks 242, 244, adjustably mounted in recesses in the upper part of frame 212 directly over the bearing surface 222 bear upon the rollers 224, 226 respectively, when the rollers are in operative position. The cam surfaces of the cam blocks are so arranged that one block tends to lock the corresponding roller against the bearing surface 222 when the rocking frame rocks in one direction and the other block operates in a similar manner upon its roller when the frame rocks in the other direction. It is thus apparent that when the rocking downward movement of the horn H can be varied by means of adjustable stops 246, 248, carried by arms 250, 252, attached to the standard 12, which stops limit the outward movement of rollers 224, 226 and thus determine the points in the movement of the rocking frame 212 at which the angle lever 218 is locked to it. The frame 212 is rocked continuously while the main shaft is running. A roller 254 upon the upper end of rod 258 engages in a cam groove 256 in one side of the cam disk 176. The rod 258 is reciprocated in guides 260 at each revolu tion of the cam disk 176 and through its connection 262 with the rocking frame 212 gives to the rocking frame a rocking motion.

Means is provided for forcing the rollers 224, 226 away from the blocks 242, 244 to prevent the locking of angle lever 218 to rocking frame 212. The illustrated means comprises a member 264 forked at its upper end and clamped at its lower end between two plates 266 upon the treadle 267 between which plates the member =may be vertically adjusted. Each of the fork members at its upper end is provided with an inclined 011'- set portion 268 extending along the slot 238 in frame 212. Extending at rightangles to the offset portion 268 are lugs 270 having inclined edges adapted to engage the reduced ends of the rollers and force them together. In order that the movement of the lugs 270 may be at right angles to the path of the rollers, the fork members are each' provided with an inclined slot 272 engaging a pin 274 in the standard.

The treadle 267 is normally drawn up by a spring 276. lVhen the treadle is in its raised position, the lugs 270 are forced into contact with the reduced portions of the rollers 224 226 and the rollers are thus held out of locking contact with the cam blocks The rod 7 5 is drawn down to elevate lever 66 for starting the awl and nail feed mechanism by means of a lever 277 pivoted upon the base of the machine and having a slot 278 eccentric to the pivot, said slot having a bend in it at 280 for a purpose hereinafter specified. Slot 278 engages a pin 282 on red 75. The lever 277 is connected to the treadle 267 by a link 284. The link 284 is connected to lever 277 by an eccentric pin 286 which provides an adjustment between lever 277 and a treadle 267. The rod 75 is confined in a guideway 288. When the treadle is depressed for starting the insertion of fastenings, the rollers 224, 226 are freed from contact with the lugs 270 and the horn-actuating mechanism thus becomes operative. At the same time lever 277 is rotated toward the left in Fig. 12, drawing down rod 75 by means of the pin and slot connection therewith, thereby raising lever 66 and rendering the awl and wire feed mechanism operative. hen the treadle is released, if the spirally shaped cam 174 is in such position that the lever 66 drops only far enough to unclutch the actuating mechanism but not far enough so that trigger 172 rests behind block 184 then rod 7 5 rises only far enough to permit levers 27 7 to rotate toward the right until the bend 280 in slot 278 comes into contact with pin 282. Such rotation of lever 277 does not permit the treadle 267 to rise far enough to force lugs 270 into operative contact with the reduced ends of rollers 224, 226, and thus the horn-actuating mechanism is not rendered inoperative at this time. Vhen trigger 172 drops behind block 174 then rod 75 rises far enough to permit lever 277 to be rotated toward the right until the treadle has risen sufficiently to cause the horn-actuating mechanism to be unclutched. As hereinbefore specified, the cam disk 176 has been so constructed that this releasing of the horn will not take place until the driver has descended to drive a fastening into the last hole made by the awl.

A cushioning and counterbalancing spring 290 supported in a socket 291 in the machine frame and bearing at its other end against a collar 292 upon the rod 220 serves to partially counterbalance the weight of the horn and its attached parts and to prevent shocks to the mechanism from the con tact of the horn with the frame. The spring 290 is, however, notstrong enough to support the horn in its elevated position.

Loosely mounted in a bracket 294 eXtend ing from the underside of the machine frame is a stud 296 carrying at each end a lever 298. Each of said levers 298 is providcd with a rearwardly extending arm 300 having a cam surface and a forwardly extending arm 302 having a downturned recessed end. Two springs 304, secured at one end in any convenient manner to swing with the levers 298 and resting in recesses in the arms 302, extend forwardly and may be caused to engage a pin 306 at the lower end of the rod 220 so as to sustain the horn with a light yielding pressure. Cam rolls 308 on each side of the treadle 267 engage respectively the cam surfaces on the arms 300. The treadle is maintained normally in its elevated position by the spring 276 and is shown in this position in Fig. 12. When the treadle is depressed from the position shown in Fig. 12, the cam rolls 308 bearing upon the arms 300 rock the levers 298 upwardly and cause the springs 304 to bear against the pin 306 to press the horn lightly against the underside of the work which has been placed by the operator in contact with the foot-plate. The mechanism for initially raising the horn just described is substantially the same as that illustrated in the copending application of Louis A. Gas-grain, Ser. No. 222,022, filed August 24, 1904, to which reference may be had for a more detailed description and illustration.

Referring to Fig. 5, it is readily seen that the awl bar 38 may be provided with more than one awl if it is desired to transform the machine into a duplex or multiplex fastening-inserting machine and when this is done the same number of drivers as awls can be readily fitted on the driver bar 30. The fastening-inserting mechanism here shown also has an additional wire-feeding mechanism added thereto, as shown by the feeding arm 92 carrying similar feeding devices to those of the arm 92, heretofore described. This arm 92 may be connected by a link 94, through an adjusting mechanism similar to 100, to the lever 96. The feed controller 116 is made large enough to embrace both the wire-feeding arms and is provided with a second spring plug 118 and adjusting cam 126 to coperate with the devices of arm 92. Loosely mounted on the shaft 90 is an arm 190 provided with a hook-shaped end 192 which has two surfaces 194 and 196 concentric with the axis of shaft 90 but of unequal radii. The arm 190 may be oscillated, through an extension 191, to give movement to end 192. WVhen arm 190 is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, surface 196 engages pin 198 projecting from gripping pawl 102 and serving to confine one end of the spring which acts upon the pawl. If end 191 of arm 190 is moved to the left (Fig. 3) surface 194 will be placed in engagement with pin 198 and gripping pawl 102 will be forced downwardly against the action of its spring to a position where it cannot engage the wire W, being led past it. The machine is by this means converted into a single row machine. Preferably movement of arm 190 is placed under control of the operator through lever 200 and rockshaft 202 connected by arm 201 with a knee-lever 203 pivoted at 205 upon the supporting frame 12. Although when using the machine for driving two or more rows of fastenings the same number of drivers as there are rows must be used, it is preferable ordinarily to fit the machine with but a single awl for use in forming holes for fastenings to be inserted in the outer row of all so that when the insertion of fastenings in any of the other rows is discontinued it will not be necessary to remove an awl from the machine to avoid having a series of unfilled holes left in the work.

The wire guide 110 is provided with two anti-friction members such as rolls 204 and 206, the distance between which may be adjusted by means of a set screw 208, so that any thickness of wire may be admitted between them. In order to insert or remove the wire from the guide, one of the rolls may be yieldingly mounted and connected to a hand-operated eccentric 210 which may be rotated to withdraw it from the other roll. These rolls may be so formed and positioned as to correctly present any character of wire to the feeding devices.

In several of the following claims the term driver has been used to designate the fastening inserting means, but it will be understood that this term is used for convenience and that so far as the state of the art permits other forms of fastening in serting mechanism, when combined with the other elements of these claims, are to be considered as coming within the terms of the claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a machine of the class described, an awl and a driver, means for actuating said parts to cause them to descend at the same time, means for presenting fastenings to the driver, and means for rendering the machine inoperative to insert fastenings constructed to suspend the operation of the awl prior to the last stroke of the driver whereby each hole made by the awl beforethe work is taken from the machine will be filled with a fastening.

2. In a machine of the class described, an awl and a driver, means for actuating said parts to cause them to descend at the same time, means for presenting fastenings to the driver, and automatic means to suspend the operation of the awl prior to the last stroke of the driver whereby each hole made by the awl before the work is taken from the machine will be filled with a fastening.

3. In a machine of the class described, an awl and a driver, separate means for actuating said parts, said means being arranged to cause said parts to descend at the same time, means for presenting fastenings to the driver, and mechanism for disconnecting the awl from its actuatingmeans while the driver continues in operation at such point in the cycle of operations as to insure that the last hole made by the awl before the work is taken from the machine will be filled with a fastening.

4. In a machine of the class described, an.

awl and a driver, separate means for actuating said parts, sald means being arranged to cause said parts to descend at the same time, means for presenting fastenings to the driver, and mechanism for automatically disconnecting the awl from its actuating means while the driver continues in operation at such point in the cycle of operations as to insure that the last hole made by the awl before the work is taken from the machine will be filled with a fastening.

5. In a machine of the class described, an awl and a driver, separate means for actuating said parts arranged to cause them to descend at the same time, means for presenting fastenings to the driver, a device constructed and arranged to engage the awlactuating mechanism and disconnect the awl therefrom while the driver continues in operation and means controlling the operation of said device constructed and arranged to cause it to disconnect the awl from its actuating mechanism before the last fastening is driven prior to taking the work from the machine.

6. In a machine of the class described, an awl and a driver, separate means for actuating said parts arranged to cause them to descend at the same time, means for presenting fastening-s to the driver, a device under control of the operator constructed and arranged to engage the awl-actuating mechanism and disconnect the awl therefrom while the driver continues in operation and automatic means controlling the operation of said device constructed and arranged to cause it to disconnect the awl from its actuating mechanism before the last fastening is driven prior to taking the work from the machine.

7. In a machine of the class described, an awl and a driver, separate means for actuating said parts arranged to cause them to'descend at the same time, meansfor presenting fastenings to the driver,a device constructed and arranged to engage the awl-actuating mechanism and disconnect the awl therefrom While the driver continues in operation and a rotatable cam arranged to engage said device and constructed to cause it to dis connect the awl from its actuating mechanism before the last fastening is driven prior to taking the work from the machine.

8. In a machine of the class described, an awl, actuating means therefor, fasteninginserting means including a work-support, mechanism under control of the operator constructed and arranged. to disconnect the awl from its actuating means and release the work-support, and automatic means for insuring that at whatever point in the cyle of operations the operator releases said mechanism the awl will be disconnected before the Worlcsupport is released.

9. In a machine of the class described, an awl, a movable block through which the awl reciprocates, and means for moving said block in one direction when the awl is in the stock and in the opposite direction when it has been withdrawn from the stock.

10. In a machine of the class described, an awl, a movable block through which the awl reciprocates, and adjustable means for moving said block in one direction when the awl is in the stock and in the opposite direction when it has been withdrawn from the stock.

11. In a machine of the class described, an awl, a movable block through which the awl reciprocates, and adjustable means for moving said block in one direction when the awl is in the stock and in the opposite direction when it has been withdrawn from the stock, said means comprising a slotted lever connected to said block, a slotted reciprocatory member adjacent said lever, and means for pivotally connecting said slots at any desired point of their length.

12. Ina machine of the class described, fastening-inserting mechanism, comprising an awl and a driver operating simultaneously to form a hole for a fastening and to drive a fastening into a previously formed hole respectively, means for rendering the awl inoperative without affecting the operation of the driver, a work-support, mechanism for raising said work-support, means for rendering said raising mechanism inoperative, and means for preventing said last named means from rendering the raising mechanism inoperative, after the awl has been rendered inoperative, until the last awl hole is filled with a fastening.

13. In a machine of the class described, an awl and a driver, means for actuating said parts to cause them to descend simultaneously toward the work to make a hole and to drive a fastening, means for presenting fastenings to the driver, and means for rendering the machine inoperative to insert fastenings constructed to permit the operation of the driver in excess of the number of times that the awl operates so as to insure that each hole made by the awl will receive a fastening before the work is taken from the machine.

1 1. In a machine of the class described, an awl and a driver, means for actuating said parts to cause them to descend simultaneously to form a hole and to drive a fastening into a previously formed hole respectively, means for presenting fastenings to the driver, and automatic mechanism under the control of the operator constructed and arranged when set in operation to prevent the awl from operating prior to the final stroke of the driver before the work is taken from the machine.

15. In a machine of the class-described, an awl, constantly operating fastening insert ing mechanism, said awl and said fastening inserting mechanism being constructed and arranged to descend at the same time, means for presenting fastenings to the inserting mechanism, and means for rendering said inserting mechanism inoperative to insert fastenings without stopping said mechanism, constructed to suspend the operation of the awl prior to the last effective stroke of the inserting mechanism, whereby each hole made by the awl before the work is taken from the machine will be filled with a fastening.

16. In a machine of the class described, an awl, constantly operating fastening inserting mechanism, the machine being so organized that the awl and the fastening inserting mechanism descend at the same time, means for presenting fastenings to the inserting mechanism, and means, comprising a rotatable governing cam, for rendering said inserting mechanism inoperative to insert fastenings without stopping said mecha nism, constructed to suspend the operation of the awl prior to the last effective stroke of the inserting mechanism.

17. In a machine of the class described, an awl, constantly operating fastening inserting mechanism, the machine being so organized that the awl and the fastening inserting mechanism descend simultaneously toward the work to make a hole and to insert a fastening, means for presenting fastenings to the inserting mechanism, and automatic mechanism under the control of the operator constructed and arranged, when set in operation, to stop the presentation of the fastenings to the inserting mechanism without stopping said mechanism and to suspend the operation of the awl prior to the last effective stroke of the inserting mechanism.

18. In a machine of the class described, an awl, constantly operating fastening inserting mechanism, the machine bein so organized that said awl and said inserting mechanism descend simultaneously toward the work to make a hole and to insert a fastening, means for presenting fastenings to the inserting mechanism, and means, comprising a rotatable governing cam, constructed to stop the presentation of fastenings to the inserting mechanism without stopping said mechanism and to suspend the operation of the awl prior to the last effective stroke of the inserting mechanism. 1

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. AMBLER.

Witnesses:

H. DORSEY SPENCER, FREDERICK L. EDMANDS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

